ENTW 2700.046
Technical Writing
Fall 2009
Instructor
Edward Casey
Office
GAB 515, Mon. & Tues. from 1:00-3:00pm
or by appointment
Phone
(940) 565-3198
E-Mail
edwardcasey@my.unt.edu
Textbook
Sims, Brenda R. Technical Communication in the Information Age.
Course
Objectives
Evaluation
The objectives of ENGL 2700 include the following:
 to learn to write clearly, concisely, and correctly
 to learn the value of good writing skills in business and industry
 to learn and practice writing various technical documents common in
business and industry
 to use word processing and graphics software to create effective technical
documents
 to learn to write as a member of a team
Formal Report
Style Exam
Case Study (design)
Case Study (correspondence)
Résumé/Letter
Instructions (team project)
Proposal
Informal Report (directive)
Feasibility Report
Final Exam
20%
10%
10%
5%
5%
15%
10%
5%
15%
5%
2
Policies
Essential
Competencies
Compliance
These are the policies for this class:
 Attend class regularly. You cannot perform well in this course unless you
attend class. If you miss class for any reason, you are responsible for all
material covered and all assignments made.
 I do not accept late assignments except in cases listed below.
 You must contact me before the assignment is due; otherwise, I
will not accept the assignment. If you are unable to attend class or
turn in an assignment because of an emergency, please call or e-mail me
before class.
 If you are more than 10 minutes late, I will consider you absent. If you
miss more than 2 classes, I will lower your grade one letter. If you miss
more than 4 classes, I will lower your grade two letters, and I may drop
you for non-attendance.
 If you miss more than two scheduled team meetings, you may receive a
grade of zero on the team project/assignment.
 If you do not prepare an assignment according to instructions in format,
organization, and style, that assignment may receive a grade of F.
 Make copies of your formal report and any other documents that you
would like to keep. I will your formal project and other documents on
file for one year.
Essential competencies for this course include the ability to
 read and analyze technical documents
 write clear, concise, and visually appropriate technical prose for the
intended readers in response to various types of assignments
 work in a team to discuss, write, edit, and publish technical
documents
 use a personal computer with word processing, e-mail, and graphics
software applications
 work effectively as part of a team
 follow the rules of standard grammar, usage, spelling, and
punctuation
In accordance with the terms and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, I will cooperate with the office of
Disability Accommodation to make reasonable accommodations for
qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability for which you will
require accommodation, please advise me of your needs in writing no later
than the end of the second week of class.
3
Readings and Assignments
September 2
What we’ll do in class:
Introduction to course
What Makes Technical Communication
Excellent
Orientation to the Lab
What to read:
Chapter 1
What’s due:
Discuss Case Study Assignment 1 on page
16 and Exercise 2 on page 17
______________________________________________________________________________
September 9
What we’ll do in class:
Writing for Your Readers
Organizing Information for Your
Readers
September 16
September 23
September 30
What to read:
Chapters 4 and 6
What’s due:
Exercise 1 on page 102
Exercises 1 & 8 on pages 168 and 170
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Easy-to-Read Documents
Using Reader-Focused Language
What to read:
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
What’s due:
Exercises 1-5, 8 on pages 205-206
Exercises 6 on page 207 (Paragraph 1)
Exercises 1-11 on pages 239-242
What we’ll do in class:
Practice Style Exam & Review
What to read:
Review Chapters 7-8
What’s due:
Practice Exam at beginning of class
What we’ll do in class:
Making Persuasive Arguments
Style Exam
What to read:
Chapter 9
Chapters 7-8 and your Practice Exam
What’s due:
Discuss Exercise 1 on page 264
Style Exam at the end of class
4
October 7
What we’ll do in class:
Designing Reader-Focused Documents
Creating Visual Information
Graphics/Brochure Orientation
What to read:
Chapters 10 & 11
What’s due:
Exercise 2 or 3 on page 299
Exercise 6 on page 350
______________________________________________________________________________
October 14
What we’ll do in class:
Workshop: Design Case Study
October 21
October 28
What to read:
Nothing
What’s due:
Design Case Study due on Friday,
October 16, before 12pm.
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Reader-Focused Letters,
Memos, and E-Mail
What to read:
Chapter 12
What’s due:
Exercise 1 on page 381
Correspondence Case Study before the
end of class
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Reader-Focused Job
Correspondence and Résumés
What to read:
Chapter 13
What’s due:
Exercises 1 & 2 on page 425
Résumé and Letter of Application due
before the end of class
Tentative topic for your Formal Project
e-mailed to me by October 30 at 6pm
______________________________________________________________________________
November 4
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Persuasive Proposals
What to read:
Chapter 16
What’s due:
Assignment 2 on page 519
Proposal due Thursday, November 4, by
5pm
5
November 11
November 18
November 25
What we’ll do in class:
Collaborating in the Workplace
Writing User-Focused Instructions and
Manuals
Manual Orientation
What to read:
Chapters 3 & 15
What’s due:
Exercise 2b on page 486
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Reader-Focused Formal
Reports
Workshop: Team Instructions
What to read:
Chapter 18
What’s due:
Rough Draft of Formal Project at
beginning of class
What we’ll do in class:
Thanksgiving Break (no class)
What to read:
Nothing
What’s due:
Team Instructions due Wednesday,
November 25, by noon
______________________________________________________________________________
December 2
What we’ll do in class:
Writing Reader-Focused Informal
Reports
Individual Conferences to discuss
Formal Projects
December 9
December 16
What to read:
Chapter 17
What’s due:
Directive by end of class
What we’ll do in class:
Workshop: Team Feasibility Study
What to read:
Nothing
What’s due:
Formal Project due Thursday,
December 10, before 5pm
Final Exam:
Team Feasibility Report due at the
beginning of class
Feasibility Results Presentations